A flying start; from fighter pilots to leading academic institutions…
In the Royal Air Force, graduating from a long and arduous flying training programme is a significant achievement, and culminates in the award of pilot ‘wings’. When subsequently posted to a front-line fighter squadron, the next major milestone is the attainment of ‘combat ready’ status – the end of a gruelling training process that can take over six years to complete. It is at this stage that most fighter pilots will reward themselves with a custom-made timepiece such as the bespoke RAF Typhoon Bremont MBII.
Every time a front-line pilot looks down at their wrist they are reminded of the great achievement, the gruelling years, and the great times along the way! It’s a feeling of belonging to a select group of aviators who have also achieved their combat-ready status. Other than their fellow aviators, nobody else has these watches. In fact, these limited editions are exclusive to those who have served on Typhoon squadrons, F16, F18, F22, F35 and many other front-line aircraft types worldwide.
This story of pilots and their precision instruments began over a century ago when the first aviators took flight. Over the past 100 years, much has changed in aircraft technology, with Typhoon pilots now controlling a plethora of on-board computers and advanced weapons systems. However, the desire for a timepiece that combines the traditional art of watch making, with the very best in technical innovation, precision and durability holds strong. After all, a luxury wristwatch is an investment that needs to stand the test of time. Classic Bremont watches are the most popular choice with modern aviation professionals who demand both accuracy and clarity.
At Cambridge and Oxford universities, this story of years of gruelling work followed by the elation and relief of successful graduation holds true. It’s not just the time spent at university, but the culmination of all the years of study leading up to the point of acceptance to study. And so, the question has been asked; why can’t we have our own exclusive high-end timepiece to commemorate this achievement?
Cambridge and Oxford students hold a world-class reputation, and with many notable alumni including Sir David Attenborough and current students including Malala Yousafzai, it is clear to see why. Student life in Oxford and Cambridge involves an exceptional amount of hard work and time studying, so this reputation is well earned. Graduating from Oxford or Cambridge is a personal achievement to be immensely proud of, and membership of an institution so steeped in tradition should not be forgotten.
Oxbridge Watches have commissioned beautifully crafted custom wristwatches that proudly bear the coat of arms of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Hand-built at the Bremont HQ in Henley-on-Thames, every watch undergoes a stringent testing programme to meet the very highest global standards before they are released with a 3-year warranty. They also include a bespoke rotor on the rear. Officially licenced, a portion of the profit from every watch sale is sent back to support the universities themselves. Oxbridge watches thus provide the only high-end, officially licensed luxury graduation gift on the market, designed to be treasured for a lifetime as a proud memento of your time spent at Oxford or Cambridge.
We hope you have enjoyed our first blog. We’ll be covering some interesting topics with more blog posts over the coming months. You can also register below to receive further updates including behind the scene glimpses of the watches being hand-crafted. And follow us on social media for more updates!
